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2019 NFL Mock Draft, Week 13: Jets land Nick Bosa, Raiders score big

By Randy Gurzi

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators gets past Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

7. Detroit Lions: Jachai Polite, Edge, Florida

While the season as a whole for the Detroit Lions has gone the wrong way, they did make one smart move. They refused to give a long-term contract to defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. This move made sense considering he had missed time, while also being ineffective for many games, due to injury.

What they did instead was place the franchise tag on Ansah and he responded with another year of injuries. He’s played in just five games to this point and has one start. He’s proven he’s still an effective player though, racking up four sacks in five of the games played.

His performance in those games means the Lions will again have a tough decision to make regarding his future. Whatever they decide to do with him, the Lions will need some more help on the defensive line. That leads to them grabbing Jachai Polite out of Florida.

Polite has broken out this season with 11 sacks and the junior will likely cash in on his success by leaving school early. As for the Lions, this allows them to replace Ansah — if that’s the route they take. If they keep him, Polite offers another edge rusher who can take pressure off Ansah while also keeping the defense strong should he miss more time in the future.

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